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I am looking after a hampster and wondered if the sawdust+ bedding + food remains which I bag up when cleaning out the cage, could be put on the compost heap ( which is a black bin with a lid ) or might the waste food(dry) encourage rats? Ive had

-powered rotary mower, and finally, for the armchair gardener, a computerised, electric-powered, rechargeable mower.all year roundMore lawn care adviceMonty Don gives advice on renovating a lawnHow to mow a lawnAdvice on lawn mower maintenanceCutting a clean lawn

Retrieve plant supports from flower beds, clean and store away

Plant crocuses, fritillaries and dwarf narcissus in lawns Plant up patio pots for autumn interestLift gladioli, clean the corms and store them in a shed or garagePrune rambling and climbing roses, and shorten long shoots on standard roses

Bring aeoniums and other tender succulents under cover for winter Empty begonia tubers from pots, clean off the compost and store somewhere dark and dryWater plants more sparingly now conditions are getting coolerWash off all shade paint and remove

Lift dahlia tubers or protect those left in the ground with a thick mulch of straw or barkSow sweet peas now for bigger, earlier blooms next yearCollect seeds and berries from shrubs and flowering plants that you want to propagateEmpty and clean out

Clear fallen leaves from greenhouse gutters Bring tender plants under cover before frosts strikeWash off any remaining summer shading paint and clean glass inside and outInsulate the greenhouse with bubble polytheneOpen vents on warm days but close

Clean out bird boxesLevel out dips in lawns with loam-based compost and sow fresh grass seedClear away debris that could be sheltering slugs and snailsCheck bonfires before lighting, in case they are sheltering sleeping hedgehogsSend off for seed

autumnImprove soil in borders in preparation for autumn planting, digging it over and adding compostRemove and clean pumps from pondsTake hardwood cuttings from shrubs and fruit bushesSpike lawns and brush sharp sand or grit into the holes to improve

, with no artificial light, to promote floweringClean staging and wash capillary matting to use next summerBring potted peaches and nectarines under cover